STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A famous Staten Island resident starts each day at 8 a.m. training for a yearly event that often draws hundreds of people from the five boroughs and New Jersey.

To prepare for this program, he works out with a personal trainer and focuses on eating a healthy diet, rich in vegetables and protein.

After his work is done, he gets to spend some time with his girlfriend, with whom he'll share dinner and some quality R&R.

However, this Staten Island celebrity isn't human.

It's none other than Charles G. Hogg (aka Staten Island Chuck), an 8 1/2-pound groundhog who resides in a custom-built log cabin with a retractable roof and solar panels that power a functioning weather station at the Staten Island Zoo. The entire metropolitan area looks to Chuck's annual prediction.

Chuck and his galpal, Charlotte, are the only genuine groundhogs in any of the city's zoos.

Each year on Feb. 2, Chuck predicts whether spring will come early. "Over 31 years, he has been right 25 times," said Kenneth Mitchell, the Zoo's executive director. That's an 80 percent success clip.

The prediction is simple: If Chuck sees his shadow, we'll have six more weeks of winter. If not, we'll have an early spring.

But this yearly prediction is not an impromptu event. The current Staten Island Chuck, who is 10 months old, was acquired by the Zoo from an Iowa-based breeder in April, said Marc Valitutto, the Zoo's general curator and veterinarian. Since then, he has been under the care of two trainers, who spend each day with him preparing for Groundhog Day festivities.

"Every morning he practices coming out of his house," said Valitutto. "He's trained to come out to a spot and stay. He's also trained to 'target' to a pole, so he can focus his attention," he said. "Most importantly, he learns to be calm."

GOES INTO HIBERNATION 

While Chuck goes into hibernation in the winter, training gets ramped up during spring and summer. Chuck also has a diet regimen that includes a bevy of greens, yams, carrots and "Rodent Chow," which is a pellet food somewhat like dog food, said Valitutto.

Chuck's companion -- who also is his understudy, should Chuck be unable to perform -- is Charlotte, also 10 months old. Zoo officials are hoping that by next year, the pair will have created a "Baby Chuck."

"When Chuck isn't training, he hangs out with Charlotte. They like to relax on their backs," said Valitutto. "They share breakfast, lunch and dinner together. They also dig a lot."

What most people don't know about Chuck is that he can walk on his hind legs, waves and holds an American flag. However, that won't be part of the Groundhog Day festivities, said Mitchell.

When they're not training or in hibernation, these companion groundhogs can be seen in the Zoo's nursery.

This Saturday's event, sponsored by Time Warner Cable, is expected to draw hundreds of spectators. Zoo gates open at 6:30 a.m., Chuck will make his prediction at 7:30 a.m. sharp, said Mitchell. Patrick and the Rock-A-Silly Band and the PS 29 Chorus with Albert Cardone, 11, playing the organ, will perform at the event.

Guests are invited to have breakfast with Chuck in the Zoo auditorium after the event, but reservations must be made in advance. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids for the breakfast. For reservations, call 718-442-3101, ext. 14.

On Sunday, the Zoo will host a "Groundhog Replay" from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. where a film of the prior day's festivities will be shown and kids can make crafts.

Time Warner Cable will broadcast the Groundhog Day ceremony free On Demand Channel 1110 beginning the week of Feb. 4.